JAMAICA | PNP Calls for Investigation Into Integrity Commission Report Leaks

Opposition party demands action as Health Minister Tufton report surfaces in media ahead of Tuesday tabling

Kingston, Jamaica – October 7, 2025 | The People's National Party has called for an immediate investigation into the recurring leak of Integrity Commission reports to media outlets before they are officially tabled in Parliament, as the latest case involving Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton emerged Monday.

A report examining alleged conflicts of interest involving Dr. Tufton, the Ministry of Health, and public relations firm Market Me is set to be tabled in the House of Representatives Tuesday afternoon. Details of the report's contents appeared in media before its official parliamentary submission, continuing what the PNP describes as a troubling pattern of premature disclosures.

The report is understood to have examined whether Dr. Tufton used his ministerial power to direct the Ministry of Health to award contracts to Market Me. It also investigated the nature of the relationship between Dr. Tufton and one of the principals of Market Me, and whether that relationship influenced contract awards to the company.

The Tufton report is among four Integrity Commission reports scheduled for tabling Tuesday, all of which were sent to Parliament by the IC for official presentation.

The opposition party expressed "deep concern" over what it characterizes as a continuing pattern of reports being disclosed to Nationwide News Network prior to their formal submission to the legislative body, in violation of the Integrity Commission Act.

Under the Act, Integrity Commission reports must first be submitted to Parliament and officially tabled before being made public. The PNP argues that the premature disclosure of report contents undermines parliamentary authority and erodes public confidence in the integrity oversight process.

"The Integrity Commission's work must be protected from any perception of political interference or manipulation," said Shadow Minister of Justice Zuleika Jess. "These recurring leaks before parliamentary tabling represent a breach of lawful process and a threat to institutional integrity."

Jess emphasized that Parliament's role as "the guardian of accountability must be respected, and the law must be applied evenly and consistently."

The PNP's statement highlights that the issue extends beyond mere procedure, characterizing it as a matter that "strikes at the heart of good governance and the rule of law." The party argues that the established process exists to ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability rather than what it terms "selective or premature dissemination" that could distort public understanding or prejudice individuals and institutions.

Shadow Minister of Information Nekeisha Burchell noted the pattern of leaks consistently involving the same media outlet. "It is deeply troubling that official information intended for Parliament's consideration continues to appear in the media before it is properly tabled, and even more concerning that it is consistently the same media house," Burchell said.

She warned that the breaches undermine confidence not only in governance structures but also in "the credibility of the information ecosystem that underpins democracy."

The PNP stated that the recurring nature of the leaks suggests "a serious breakdown in the official chain of custody" and called for a transparent investigation to determine the source of the disclosures.

In its statement, the PNP reaffirmed its commitment to upholding principles of accountability, due process, and respect for laws underpinning Jamaica's democracy.

The Integrity Commission, the Ministry of Health, and Nationwide News Network had not responded to requests for comment at the time of publication. Dr. Tufton's office also did not immediately respond to inquiries.

The controversy raises questions about information security protocols surrounding sensitive parliamentary documents and whether existing safeguards are adequate to prevent unauthorized disclosures of official reports before they complete the prescribed legislative process.

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